Analyzing Peak Clipping for Load Factor Improvement: Real Case Studies of a Solar Power Plant in a University Campus

The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has sparked a growing interest in solar power plants (SPPs) as a viable option for reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. With the integration of SPP, the potential arises for a decrease in grid dependency during the day and improved stability in demand-side load profiles. To enhance the contribution of SPP toward sustainable energy solutions, it is crucial to explore effective load management strategies, including peak clipping. This paper investigates peak clipping as one of the demand-side management (DSM) techniques facilitated by SPP. The objective of this study is to provide comprehensive insights into the practical application of peak clipping techniques and their impact on improving the load factor (LF). To achieve this objective, the analysis in this study utilizes real data derived from an operational SPP located in the central campus of Manisa Celal Bayar University. To evaluate the impact of SPP on peak clipping and LF, a series of diverse case studies which encompass a range of campus scenarios are undertaken. The aim is to thoroughly analyze and understand how SPP systems affect peak clipping and LF under different circumstances. The analysis reveals significant improvements in LF resulting from the integration of the SPP, ranging from 1.04% to 10.62%. Results show that transition to online education and reduced campus population positively impacted LF during Coronavirus disease 2019 compared to pre-pandemic times. These findings align with the dynamics of the campus lifestyle and underscore the favorable effects of these factors on LF. Index Terms--Demand-side management, load factor improving, peak clipping, solar power plant, university campus